March 9, 2008

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Sisters and brothers, the Holy Spirit gathers us together on this Fifth Sunday of Lent to stand in wonder and awe at the miracle of the raising of Lazarus. For those preparing for baptism, this miracle signals the promise made to all who put their hope in the Lord. That promise, made to each of us who are baptized, keeps our hope alive. We are promised a share in the glory of the Resurrection at the end of time. As this Mass begins, let us be open to the miracles that the Lord Jesus wants to work in the world, in this community, in our families, and in our hearts.

 

MASS SCHEDULE

Mar.   08       4:30PM         People of St. John’s Parish

Mar.   09     10:00AM         John & Rafaella DeMatteo…….By Family

Mar.   13      12:15PM        Novena to the Miraculous Medal

Mar.   15       4:30PM         Josephine Volpe…………………...By Family

Mar.   16     10:00AM         Charles M. Marker……..….The George Family

 

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS                                  

03/08: C. Glover & G. Glover                             03/09:  L. Zautner, J. Rey & A. Welch

03/15: W. Chura & C. Kiszkiel                              03/16:  M. King, M. Sieder & D. Alvarado

           

COMMENTATOR & LECTOR

03/08:   B. Cummings                                                 03/09:   YOUTH

03/15:   B. Nicolella                                        03/16:   D. Holodak & G. Holodak

 

ACOLYTES

03/09:  Mark DiCerbo & Emi Carosella       03/16:  Palm Sunday - TBD

 

COUNTERS

03/09:  B & M Maddelone                             03/16:  Bellinger & Lucas

 

 

 

 

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

MARCH 20TH – HOLY THURSDAY 7:00 PM

MARCH 21ST – GOOD FRIDAY 7:00 PM

MARCH 22ND – EASTER VIGIL 7:30 PM

MARCH 23RD EASTER SUNDAY 10:00 AM

 

GET WELL SOON –Fr. Mike fell and broke his leg in two places, which required surgery.  It is estimated Fr. Mike will need several weeks to recover.  Get well wishes may be sent to:  Fr. Michael Schmitt, C/O St. Paul’s Rectory, 2777 Albany St., Schdy, NY 12304

WELCOME BACK – Fr. Alan Jupin will be covering our parish while Fr. Mike is recovering.  Fr. Jupin was Pastor at St. John’s for many years.  Please extend a warm welcome back to him!

 

PASSION READERS *Saturday, March 15, 12 o'clock noon: ALL HOLY WEEK PASSION READERS (Sat. Vigil Mass, Palm Sunday, Good Friday)* PLEASE come to a rehearsal for this most solemn ministry as a lector.  If you are unable to attend, notify Walt Chura at 4563201 or e-mail:  wwchura@yahoo.com

 

PALM BRAIDING – We will be offering Palm Braiding on Palm Sunday March 16, following the 10 AM liturgy from 11 AM-12 PM in the Parish Center.

 

SEDER MEAL – You are invited to celebrate our Traditional Family Seder on Sunday March 16th at 4PM in the Hibernian Hall on upper State St.  A meal will be served with a choice of Roast Lamb, Turkey Breast or a Vegetarian dish.  Adults $8.00, children (under 10) $3.00.   There is a sign up sheet at the front entrance of the church.    We hope many of you will join us as we trace The Night of the Passover.

 

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS –We are now accepting memorial donations for the Palm Sunday/Holy Week/Easter Season. Envelopes are located in the front entrance of the church.  If you would like to make a contribution in memory of a loved one, please print this information clearly on the envelope. Completed envelopes may be placed in the offertory baskets or mailed to the rectory.  Please submit all envelopes by March 16th for inclusion in our Easter Memorial.   All donations will be used for altar decorations for the Lenten/Easter Season. 

 

HOLY WEEK MINISTERS NEEDED:
1) People willing to have their feet washed AT HOLY THURSDAY LITURGY.  Sign up in back of Church.  Young adults welcome.
2) Passion Readers for Palm Sunday weekend, Sat. and Sun.  See Walt Chura or e-mail waltchura_sfo@yahoo.com.
3) People (preferable two at a time) willing to keep Vigil for 30 min. to 1 hour before the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday night between the end of the liturgy and 10:p.m.  Young adults, with parental consent and an accompanying mature adult, is especially welcome.   Sign up in back of Church.

 

ACOLYTES – We need acolytes to serve for the following: Holy Thursday (March 20th) @ 7PM, Good Friday (March 21st) @ 7PM and Easter Vigil (March 22) @ 7:30PM.  If you are available for any of these services, please contact Mark DiCerbo or Mark Perrella as soon as possible.

OPERATION RICE BOWL –Rice Bowls can be found at both entrances of the church. Operation Rice Bowl is the official Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services, and calls Catholics in the United States to reach out in solidarity with the poor around the world through the traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, learning, and giving. By participating in these four activities, we come to understand our call to be a part of one global community.

                                    

SCHOOL OF RELIGION –Classes are scheduled for March 9th, and 16th.  NO CLASS March 23rd (Easter Sunday). Class resumes March 30th.

 

MEETING DATES

THURSDAY March 13th Bible Study 11:00 AM in the Parish Center

MONDAY April 14th Parish Council 6:45PM in the Parish Center

 

OFFERTORY COLLECTION:    The offertory collection for the weekend of 03/02/08 was $1,723.00. Needed to meet weekly expenses is $2,000.00.  “Giving is an attitude that allows us to give all that we are, give all that we have and give all that we possess in the Holy Spirit to provide greater glory for God.”

 

MEDITATION: Fifth Sunday of Lent—*Eternal Life NOW!*

 
“In the middle of the account, Jesus declares, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ He goes on to affirm that ‘whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.’ Most of us are accustomed to regard ‘eternal life’ as something that begins only when we die. But Jesus asserts that for those who believe in him, *eternal life has already begun*. Who we are now is what we shall be forever. For us, as for Jesus, physical death is not a defeat. Rather, it is another step on the way to fullness of life with God. For us eternal life has already begun, and the best is yet to come.”
 Daniel J. Harrington 
<http://www.americamagazine.org/content/searchresults.cfm?search=Daniel%20J.%20Harrington&startrow=1&searchby=author> 
, */America/* magazine| MARCH 3, 2008 (subscriptions 212-581-4640)
 
 

 

 

 

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Schenectady’s Historic Church   

Over 175 Years of Worship and Service

 

 

427 Franklin St. Schdy., NY  12305

Rev. Michael T. Schmitt – Sacramental Minister

 Administrative Assistant –Eileen Mazur

Parish Office Hours 8:30AM-2:30PM Monday through Thursday 374-9148 Closed Friday

Parish Center Email: sjb@albany.net Web Site:  www.albany.net/~sjb/

Saturday Mass taped for Channel 16 – Shown: Sunday 2 PM & Monday 2 PM

           

St. John the Baptist Mission Statement

Dedicated to Celebrating Christ’s Love in

Worship, Works of Charity and Fellowship